April 10, 2025 – In the field of solid waste treatment, a new breakthrough by a research team has drawn extensive attention, bringing a new turn of events to the thorny problem of waste plastic disposal.
Researchers such as Ma Wangjing from the Oil and Gas Development Center of the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, collaborating with universities like Tsinghua University and the University of Oxford, have published cutting – edge research on the treatment of waste plastics using microwaves in the international authoritative academic journal “Nature Communications”. Through innovative microwave technology, the team has successfully overcome difficulties, efficiently decomposing and converting the mixed waste plastics in landfills. These plastics are transformed into high – value – added chemical raw materials and fuels. This achievement not only greatly improves resource utilization efficiency but, more importantly, significantly reduces the environmental pollution caused by traditional waste plastic treatment methods.
According to AsiaMB, the research team at the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry has not stopped there. They have successively published several papers in other professional journals, focusing on the microwave treatment of recycled polyolefin plastics, agricultural and forestry waste, polyurethane, bioethanol, and various other waste materials. These studies deeply analyze the interaction mechanism between microwaves and organic molecules, meticulously optimize the treatment process parameters, and comprehensively improve the theoretical and practical systems of microwave treatment technology for different waste materials and application scenarios, laying a solid foundation for the large – scale industrial application of this technology. Relying on the profound technical strength accumulated through long – term efforts in the field of waste plastic treatment, the team at the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry has carefully constructed a systematic patent system. This system comprehensively covers key aspects such as the design and manufacture of microwave treatment equipment, the optimization and control of treatment processes, and the separation and purification of products, forming a tight and complete intellectual property protection network.
Guided by the concept that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”, waste recycling plays a crucial role in promoting green development and building a beautiful China. With the accelerated progress of industrialization and urbanization, the problem of waste plastic treatment has become increasingly prominent and has become an important issue that urgently needs to be addressed in the fields of ecological environmental protection and resource recycling. At the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference, the research team of the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences successfully reached a patent transfer agreement with relevant enterprises, with a transfer amount as high as 20 million yuan. This signing is not only a high recognition of the team’s scientific research achievements but also marks the official start of the industrial promotion journey of the microwave treatment technology for waste plastics. Through in – depth cooperation with enterprises, this technology is expected to be implemented quickly, promoting the transformation and upgrading of the waste plastic treatment industry and ultimately achieving a win – win situation of economic and environmental benefits. Waste plastic treatment, as an important part of the waste recycling system, is of great significance for reducing environmental pollution, conserving precious resources, and promoting green and low – carbon development. Looking to the future, with the widespread application of microwave treatment technology, it is expected to provide innovative solutions to the waste plastic treatment problem in China and even globally, injecting strong impetus into the realization of the “dual – carbon” goal.